Nature and Biodiversity Management in Korea: A Policy Perspective Oct. 2007 Paikho Rho, Ph.D. Korea Environment Institute
Pressure-State-Response Framework for the Identification of Issues and Policy Responses for Nature Conservation State Biological Resources Species Diversity Habitat and Ecosystem Sustainable Pressure Population Land Use Pattern Development Human Use Future Response Laws and Regulations Management Plans Research & Monitoring Int l Cooperation
Baekdudaegan (Mountain Range) Coastal Region (Designated Island) Estuarine Wetland (Han River)
Total area of Korean Peninsular: 222,000 km2 - S. Korea: 99,600 km2 (45%) - Forest: 63,900 km2 (65%) During the last two decades, Forest area declined 2.1%, Cropland declined 15.9%, and Tidalflat declined 20.4% Forest, Stream and Lake, Estuary, Island, Wetland Ecosystem and Diverse Species and Habitats
Habitat & Ecosystem Diversity with topographic and climatic variation Estimated Species: 100,000 spp. * NOW, ~26,000 spp. recorded Protected wildlife: 221 spp. (MOE) 46 spp. (MOMAF)
Development Pressures Nationwide Population density and Quality of Human Life Population density is 485 person/km 2, 3 rd in the world Consumption and Vehicle-oriented Life cycles pattern Urbanization and Industrial Activities Urbanization ratio: 49.8%(1970) 89.0%(2003) 95.0% (2020) Rapid industrialization since 1960s Habitat Loss, Climate Change and Invasive Species 25% of coastal wetlands lost during the last decade From 3,203km 2 in 1987 to 2,393km 2 in 1998
Natural area = cropland + woody area Natural area/person gradually declined 15.9% decline 40 30 20.4% decline 2.1% decline 20 10 0 25.2 21.3 (Unit : ha) 18.7 17.3 During the last two decades (1980s-2000s) 75 85 95 04
Responses to Protect Natural Resources and Biodiversity Enactment of new laws Amendment of the existing laws Establishment of the new authority for the natural resource management and biodiversity conservation Establishment of management policies and plans at national and local levels Designation of protected areas for wildlife habitat and ecosystem (e.g.wildlife protected areas and wetland protected areas) Establishment of natural environment monitoring system Increase in investment in natural resource and biodiversity researches Regional and global cooperation
Legistration Natural Environment Conservation Act Natural Park Act Ecosystem Conservation Act on Island Wetland Conservation Act Environmental Impact Assessment Act Baekdudaegan Protection Act Wildlife Protection Act Cultural Heritage Protection Act Marine Ecosystem Conservation Act Government Agency Ministry of Environment National Park Agency Ministry of Environment MOE, MOMAF Ministry of Environment Forest Service Ministry of Environment Cultural Heritage Administration Ministry of Fishery & Marine Affairs
200 (Unit: US million $) 199.1million 150 100 91.4million 50 59.2million 0 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
DMZ Baekdu Coastal Enactment of nine Natural Resourcerelated Law (i.e., Wildlife Protection Act of 2004) Establishment of three ecological axies conservation plan, Designation of protected area (11.2% of total area) Introduction of Strategic Environment Assessment( 06.6), GIS DB on Natural Resources( 07.4), Nationwide Survey on Natural Resources Establishment of Master Plan for Biological Resource Conservation( 05.1), Wildlife and Habitat Protection ( 05.12) Protected wildlife 221 spp.( 05.1)
Ratio of Protected Area(11.2%) is less than the average ratio of OECD (16.4%) Unawareness on Ecological Restoration and Eco-tourism ($$$) Lack of Spp. Sample and Ecosystem Survey (6,800 sample collected among 30,000 spp.) Invasive species and insufficient framework for species and ecosystem mgnt Reliability is low in ecological assessment system (map accuracy)
Continuous survey on natural resources Monitoring on critical habitat and ecosystem GIS development for spp. and ecosystem More protected area and better management Wetland Conservation Ecological Restoration and Ecotourism Reconcile Nature into Land Development Integrated strategic environment assessment implementation
2 3 6 regions Nationwide Survey of Natural Environments - 1st(1986-1990) - 2nd (1997-2003) - 3rd (2006-2010) 57
Wetland Protected Area 2, Ecosystem Protected Area 1, Designated Islands 3 06. 12 : Ecosystem Protected Area 30 Wetland Protected Area 18 Designated Islands 153 Ramsar wetland: 2 sites in 07 06.12: 5 sites designated as Ramsar 1. Higher Moor, Yongneup of Mt. Daeam 2. Upo Wetland 3. Suncheon Bay 4. Mulyeongari-oreum 5. Jangdo Island High Moor Clear Criteria to make boundary and designate protected area Ecological value and socio-economic factors affecting ecosystem Public participation and systematic criteria for rational decision-making Revision of Institutional Mechanism for Protected Area: Review on different alternative Lack of follow-up actions after designation
Wetland Survey Ramsar sites Riverine Wetland ( 00~ 05), Mountain Wetland ( 06~ 10) Designation of Ramsar site Comprehensive Plan for Wetland Conservation Plan for Inland Wetland established on 06.12, and Plan for Coastal Wetland on 06.3. Wetland restoration And Land Acquisition Wetland Protected Area Designation Mgmt Plan for Wetland Protected Area Now, 18 protected areas(12 inland wetland, 6 coastal wetland) - Total area: 251.337 Han Estuarine Wetland ( 07.6)
Ecological survey : Baekdudaegan( 06-08), DMZ( 07-11), Island( 06-14) Designate protected area, particularly DMZ, based on ecological survey Long-term Plan for UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Baekdudaegan, DMZ Sabbatical System for more national parks (07.1), Natural Resource Monitoring and ecological restoration ( 07.1-07.12) Management index development for ecological capacity of individual park ( 07.12)
Public facility construction, incentive and financial support for residents in Ecological Village 2006: 75 villages 2007: 84 villages Wetland, Vegetated Area are key target for No Net Loss policy 2007: feasibility study
Enactment of New Law on restoration concept, principle, method, project and programme Qualified Practitioner certified wetland scientist, and College curriculum Ecological Forum consisted of experts, NGO and land manager ( 07.1~12) Developer-Pay- Principles Land developer must pay the cost for ecosystem restoration
Certified Eco-Guide Program (25person/yr) National eco-tourism Program Conservation Facilities for Natural Environment : 33 facilities 46 facilities education, awareness, watching, experience opportunities for residents and visitors
Ecological Botanical Garden to protect wild flora (endangered spp.) 2007 Sobaek National Park (Iris odaesanensis Y.Lee, etc.) 2007-2013: One garden of each National Park (total 17 gardens) Asiatic Black Bear: Jiri National Park, Amur Goral: Worak National Park
2006, established 6 centers, 2007~ 2011, plan to establish 2 centers each year 1 animal rescue center of each province, total 16 centers More efforts to stop illegal hunting and wildlife trade Law enforcement and education to stop the illegal hunting, possession, trade, and buying (1yr prison OR $5,000 fine) Wildlife : 13 endangered spp. (Eurasian Otter, Amur Goral, etc) + 19 generalist spp. (Water deer, Wild boar, etc)
Migratory Bird Agreement with China ( 07.4.10) 2006: agreement with australia Birds, Mammals, Amphibian, Reptile, Fish and Insects Now, 12 institutes running 2007: one more 1 institute
Monitoring on Invasive spp. Risk Assessment on invasive spp. Evaluation Criteria and Items on Risk Assessment of LMO ( 07.12) Guideline for release of wild fauna and flora ( 07.12) 07: cooperation with s.e. Asia 07-11: s. America, Africa, LTER researches (>10yrs studies) on Climate Change and Ecological Process Forest, Stream, Wetland, Coastal, Estuary, Island, Wildlife, others